| May
2010 |
27th May Not long to go until the first Old time and Bluegrass pickin' Weekend at Wiston Lodge. Please let Mark Tanner know if you're going . Plenty are but he'd love to hear from others. **************************************** Tony Thomas will be in the UK from September 13 to September 23 on vacation. He will be in London and in Mistley, around 11 miles northeast of Colchester.) He is an African American banjoist who helped organize the 2005 Black Banjo Gathering and the recent celebration of it. He is an historian of the five-string banjo and African American playing of it with chapters forthcoming in scholarly collections from Duke University Press and University of Illinois Press. I have given several presentations on banjo history at the annual US banjo collectors gatherings. He plays old time African American and European banjo both down picking and finger picking. While banjo playing and performance is NOT the purpose of this trip, he will have his banjo with him and would love to get together with any banjoists or attending any nearby old time or banjo collector events while I am there. He will be on the continent, visiting Sweden and Russia, but based on the Mosel in Germany between August 12 and October 18. l him if you want to get together or know of events he might want to check out. **************************************** Both volumes of the long out of print Old-Time Fiddler’s Repertory by R.P. Christeson are now available in paperback from the University of Missouri Press U.S. purchasers can use the links, the rest of us will have to use Amazon. http://press.umsystem.edu/fall2010/christeson1.htm http://press.umsystem.edu/fall2010/christeson2.htm And if you are interested in Missouri tunes, there's a great double cd of Bob Walters (mainly from the recordings of Dwight Lamb) recently available: http://missourifiddling.blogspot.com/2009/11/bob-walters-champion.html (order details in the article) and from the same source: ...now available from Missouri Valley Musice "Old Time Fiddle Classics" featuring Dwight Lamb on fiddle and Elvin Campbell guitar. This cd is a reissue of an LP recorded in 1967 called "Old Time Fiddlin Left Hand Style" and "Old Time Fiddlin Left Hand Style" volume 2 which was recorded in 1972. A total of 34 tracks of tunes in the Missouri Valley Style including Purcell's, Pacific Slope, Five Miles Out of Town, Steamboat Round the Bend and many more. **************************************** From Graham Anstee: I have created a Yahoo chat group simply called foaotmad_chat, please could you include details in the mailout. This group like many others with Yahoo provides free email contact with members of the group, the ability to upload files, photos, links messages etc. This is the description of the group Discussion group for staying in touch with FOAOTMAD members, promoting and listing American old time music / tunes, preferred keys for playing in sessions. Uploading music notation / tab, private recordings and listing reference to recorded material and source etc. This group is specifically for members of Friends of American Old time Music and Dance (FOAOTMAD). The group will provide an email chat forum for various old time music events, views and for sharing old time music. The Group can be found by typing foaotmad_chat into the Yahoo groups search box on a Yahoo home page. Things seem to work better if you have a Yahoo account / email. Go to the groups foaotmad_chat page and join the group. If FOAOTMAD membership numbers are provided with the introduction email I will be able to keep out spammers. All members of the group will be able to upload or download material and it will be totally interactive. *************************************** 20th May If you are under canvass at Spring Camp please be aware that there are a few power hook-ups available for caravans at the bottom of the field (first come first served). Please make sure you don't pitch tents where they might prevent vans/rvs from reaching them. **************************************** Andy Imms is desperately trying to find a stand-up bass player for a few gigs in the Hampshire/Surrey area. Anyone interested please contact him by or on 01189701202 **************************************** New Old Time Session in Penzance, Cornwall At the Union Hotel, Chapel Street, Penzance Contact Bob and Sibs on 01736 332 821 for dates, and/or to be put on the mailing list. They're looking forward to seeing friends old and new who manage to get down this far for their holidays! Or why not make a special trip. *************************************** West Virginian show stoppers, The Fox Hunt play a wild and raucous brand of American roots music that’s more akin to good old rock ‘n’ roll from the early days. Sun June 27: Cork Midsummer Festival Tues 29: Kilbarchan, Old Library Wed 30: Stirling, Tolbooth Theatre Thurs July 1: Edinburgh, Pleasance Cabaret Bar Fri 2: Moniaive, The Institute Sat 3: Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Co Donegal Tues 6: Ramelton, Conway’s Wed 7: Ardara, The Beehive Thurs 8 (with The Henry Girls ): Culdaff, McGrory’s Fri 9 (with The Henry Girls ): Sligo, The Factory Performance Space Sat 10 (with The Henry Girls ): Letterkenny, An Grianán Theatre Wed 14: Stornoway, Hebridean Celtic Festival Thurs 15: Stornoway, Hebridean Celtic Festival Fri 16: Isle of Skye, Aros Centre Sat 17: Glasgow, Classic Grand *************************************** Broadstairs Folk Week which takes place from Friday 6th of August to Friday 13th August 2010 in the FOAOTMAD mailout. During the folk week Kay Anderson & Graham Anstee with TapRoots will be running a week long Appalachian dance workshop starting on Monday 9th of August. The workshops will be held at the Pavilion in Broadstairs on Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and Friday from 10am to 11-30am. In the afternoon of Friday 13th of August, workshop members will have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learnt during the week at the bandstand, although voluntary, most of the workshop participants take part and they always have a fantastic time. The workshop caters for all abilities but is particularly aimed at beginners. The folk week also offers many other workshops activities covering vocal, instrument, & dance as well as lunch time and evening concerts, dances, pub gigs etc. Check out the web site http://www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk *************************************** BANJO AND FIDDLE LESSONS AVAILABLE IN JULY Aaron Jonah Lewis from Virginia will be in the UK for the month of July and is looking to teach lessons and workshops wherever he can. He's playing at the Maverick Festival and then heading to London for the following week (around 5-11 July), and then making his way up to Findhorn for most of the rest of the month. He'll be back in London to play Come Down and Meet the Folks on the 25th. Please get in touch with him if you are interested in setting up a lesson, mainly in London or in Scotland. He is a multi-instrumentalist with experience teaching all ages and skill levels and is well versed in many styles, especially traditional American music: bluegrass, old time, ragtime, country, blues, jazz, etc. He has been playing fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass with bands and on his own since 2001 and he has won awards at the Clifftop Appalachian String Band Festival and at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention, including First Place Bluegrass Fiddle in 2007. For more information please see http://www.aaronjonahlewis.com To schedule a lesson or for further questions please contact him by To call him use this number 01754 863 495 (Germany) until July 1, and then he can be reached at 0790 865 9986 (UK) *************************************** A number of revisions here so I'll replace the whole list: JACK LAWRENCE & RICHARD PLANK - touring England in September 2010 Renowned flat pick guitarist and musical partner of the legendary Doc Watson, "acoustic powerhouse" Jack Lawrence, from Charlotte NC is touring here in September. Joining him will be English fingerpicking guitarist Richard Plank. Friends for a number of years, this will be the first time they've performed together. They're looking forward to meeting friends, old and new, on their travels around England. You can check out http://www.acousticart.co.uk for tour updates & info. Or SEPTEMBER TOUR SCHEDULE : Fri 3-Sun 5 Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Kemble, Gloucestershire Mon 6 Bacup Folk Club, Bacup, Lancashire (a BFC & Hairy Dog Promotion) Tue 7 Brown Cow Folk Club, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Wed 8 Hinckley Act, Hinckley, Leicestershire Fri 10 The Watermark, Ivybridge, Devon (with Phil Rosenthal ex-Seldom Scene) Sat 11 The George Hotel, South Molton, Devon Tue 14 The Abbey Hotel, Romsey, Hampshire Wed 15 The Lamb Folk Club, Eastbourne, Sussex Fri 17-Sun 19 Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Newquay, Cornwall *************************************** 13th May There's a new old time based band on the block - although the block is in the deep south. Cornwall, that is. Nearly as far south west as you can get in the UK: Kate and Guy features Katie Kirk, Guy Charles, Mark Trounson & Ed Bennett You are invited to a party & showcase of the new band at 8.00pm Friday 21st May, The Melting Pot, The Old Grammar School, Redruth TR15 3AJ http://www.themeltingpotonline.co.uk RSVP 01736 710907 http:// www.kateandguy.com **************************************** An update from John Wirtz: Back here at the “Hogwirtz” planning department in deepest Somerset, the Captain and Cruella we have just about recovered from last Easter’s little party! Thanks to all those who sent messages of thanks and reviews of the event. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the great tutors for their outstanding work and our loyal staff and crew who help us make the show run smoothly for you year after year. But, there’s no let up and the October weekend is beginning to receive bookings and the tutor list is already announced except for one or two yet to be confirmed. Biogs and pictures will be uploaded within a couple of weeks. The list is as follows: Autoharp: June Maugery Banjo: Rod Jackson Dobro: Martin Froud Fiddle: Ian Nicholls Guitar: Paul Hill Mandolin: T.B.A. Old Time Banjo: Sara Gray Old Time Fiddle: Dave Proctor Singing: Roland Emmanuel The booking forms for October can now be downloaded from the “bookings“ page. For next Easter, we are negotiation with a number of tutors and we will announce their names in due course. However, we are pleased to announce those already confirmed and their biogs will be posted up on the website shortly. Bluegrass Banjo – Tony Trischka, Mandolin – Matt Flinner – Old Time Banjo – Bob Carlin – Old Time Fiddle – Jock Tildesley, Beginners – Eleanor Cross (Fiddle), Dan Norton (Mandolin), Guy Rogers (Banjo) and an additional beginners tutor for guitar. We will certainly repeat the “Basic music Theory classes which were a great success and Peter Earle will be perfecting the content and presentation for next year. Do make a note, Sore Fingers Week 2011 runs the week BEFORE Easter this time as it falls so late in the month of April. Don’t get caught out! More news as soon as we have it. Information and booking forms at http://www.sorefingers.co.uk In the meantime, we look forward to meeting you at festivals throughout the summer season. The Captain and Cruella (John and Moira) *************************************** Hunter Robertson will be playing a solo gig October 16th (Saturday) at The Cellar Upstairs, Exmouth Arms, Starcross Street, London NW1 2HR (on the corner of Coburg Street, near Euston and Euston Square stations). http://www.cellarupstairs.org.uk/ http://www.hunterrobertson.com *************************************** 5th May Thursday May 20 Awake My Soul:The Story of the Sacred Harp (documentary film) 'a stunning portrait of Sacred Harp singing and its legacy' plus performances from Richard Dawson and Cath & Phil Tyler 7.30, Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Newcastle, NE1 2NP £5 Sunday May 23 SACRED HARP WORKSHOP with Cath Tyler Come and learn how to sing this stirring four-part harmony style. 2.00 - 5.00, Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Newcastle, NE1 2NP £free Saturday June 5 Sacred Harp All-Day Sing St Bartholomew's Church Hall, Station Rd, Benton, Newcastle NE12 9NQ 10.00 - 4.00, with bring & share lunch - £free for more info call 0191 2150138 http://www.newcastleshapenote.co.uk *************************************** Tim Eriksen UK dates JULY Tue 20 London, Folklahoma Fri 23-Sun 25 'Summer Tyne' Americana Festival, SAGE, Gateshead Mon 26 Saltburn Community Theatre Wed 28 The Institute, Moniaive supporting The Wilders - Dumfries & Galloway Thu 29 Acoustic Music Club supporting The Wilders - Kirkcaldy Fri 30 Partick Folk Club, Glasgow Sat 31 Southern Fried Festival, Perth AUGUST Sun 1-Tue 3 Sidmouth Folk Festival (including Cordelia's Dad show on the 3rd) http://www.timeriksenmusic.com **************************************** Roger Jackson's review of the recent Sorefingers week can be found here: http://blog.ebma.org/2006/10/week-in-hogwirtz.html *************************************** |